BATON ROUGE - At election time, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu always has a tricky line to walk on abortion. She's balancing her Catholic faith and Louisiana's strong anti-abortion stances with her Democratic politics and her support of abortion rights.

Heading into the Nov. 4 election, Landrieu's critics are hoping to use the wedge issue to undermine her re-election bid.

Both of her Republican opponents, U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy and tea party favorite Rob Maness, oppose abortion. Maness has highlighted Landrieu's support of Roe v. Wade in his campaign.

Meanwhile, national anti-abortion group the Susan B. Anthony List has launched a ground offensive against Landrieu.

Landrieu tries to downplay the issue each campaign season. She says abortions should be as rare as possible but women should have the right to make their own decisions.